SGH Community Therapeutics Programme

An initiative led by the department of Rheumatology & Immunology at Singapore General Hospital, the Community Therapeutics Programme (CTP) aims to establish a pioneering model of care by bringing specialist therapeutics to the community through home and satellite infusion centres.

The pilot phase focuses on selected specialist therapeutics used in Rheumatology. Specialties with similar requirements such as Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Renal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, may also benefit from this model of care.

Rheumatology & Immunology as Pilot

Rheumatological diseases affect 1 in 10 people and represent a significant healthcare burden in Singapore.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is the 7th leading cause of disability and can affect multiple organs, be life-threatening, is chronic and debilitating. Rheumatoid arthritis nearly doubled disease burden from 1990 to 2017, in Singapore.

Gaps Identified & Need for Community Therapeutics

These patients require regular therapeutic infusions which may take several hours to administer. These patients are not acutely unwell but have required inpatient admissions.

This resulted in a waiting time to infusion of 8 weeks. On the other hand, patients who required assistance with subcutaneous injections had to travel to the outpatient clinic as regularly as once a week.

Gaps which were identified:

1. Reduced convenience to patients and caregivers

• Elderly patients with reduced mobility
• Patients unable to administer subcutaneous injections (e.g. those with deformed hands or needle phobia)
• Caregivers having to take time off to accompany patients for infusions 

2. Right-siting of care delivery for chronic systemic conditions

• Therapeutic infusion slots in the hospital rapidly reaching capacity
• Waiting time for therapeutic infusion slots approximately 8 weeks
  

3. Increased risk of infections when patients are admitted to the hospital

4. Accessibility with timely delivery of care to prevent disease relapse

5. Increased cost to patients when admitted to inpatient ward

Goals of CTP

The primary objective of CTP is to reduce the use of acute inpatient beds and moderate the demand for acute inpatient beds and moderate the need for Short Stay Wards (SSW) at SGH.

By achieving this, we aim to alleviate patient and caregiver stress while ensuring the delivery of timely and optimal care. Additionally, the programme seeks to develop a new care model that qualifies for government subsidies, Medisave and insurance coverage.

CTP Achievements

Since the programme's inception in January 2023, we have successfully reached a total of 210 patients and provided 754 therapeutic procedures as of 30 September 2024. 

Patient Testimonial

Listen to the story of one of our patients, Mdm S. who has benefited from the programme. Her experience highlights the positive impact of our care model and the difference it has made in her life.

Hit "Play" to watch the video: